Merl Shivers

Merl Marsh Shivers, 82, of Mexia, passed from this life on March 28, 2008 at the Haven Nursing Home in Mexia. A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Mexia with the Reverend Brad Brittain officiating. Burial will follow at the Wortham cemetery. Visitation with the family and friends will be Saturday from 5 - 7 p.m. at Blair - Stubbs Funeral Home. Merl was born on May 19, 1925 to Joe and Bertice Marsh in Flynn, Texas and spent the majority of her youth in Mexia, where she attended Mexia High School. She received her bachelor's Degree in Teaching from Sam Houston State University in 1946 and a master's degree in 1956. She married her husband of 59 years, James Shivers in September of 1948 and moved back to Mexia to spend the majority of her teaching career, live on the family farm and raise her family. Known to most as Mrs. Shivers because of her long teaching career of 38 years in Graford, Banquete, Lewisville, Fair Oaks, Point Enterprise, Forest Glade and Mexia Middle School her influence passed through two and three generations of students in the Mexia area. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Mexia where she taught Sunday School, worked tirelessly in the kitchen, and was a faithful member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class. Upon retirement she and her husband, James, enjoyed many years of traveling and were active in square dancing and line dancing groups in the area. She spent many years helping with Hospice where she was recognized as volunteer of the year. She loved people and volunteering her help throughout the community. The love of her life was her family of which she is survived by her husband, James C. Shivers of Mexia, son and daughter-in-law, Terry Don and Janise Shivers of Mexia; Grandson, Chris Shivers and special friend, Kendra Woods and great-grandson, Kaison; sister, Wanette Gafford of College Station, brother- in- law, Lawrence Shivers, Jr. of Abilene, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Billy and Byron (Beans) Bates of Dallas and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Lloyd Dillard Marsh. Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews. Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice of Mexia or First United Methodist Church of Mexia.